Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions he has had with representatives of the World Food Programme on the suspension of aid in Sana’a and other areas where aid is at risk of diversion.

The International Development Secretary and I met with David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), on Thursday 20 June to discuss WFP’s partial suspension of operations in Yemen. I also had a telephone call with David Beasley on Thursday 6 June to discuss the issue, and UK officials have engaged closely with WFP throughout recent months, including through the WFP Executive Board. These discussions are ongoing.

For the sake of Yemenis in desperate need, we call on the Houthis to immediately end all restrictions on aid agencies and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2451 by allowing safe, rapid, and unhindered access for the humanitarian response and commercial supplies. The Houthis must cooperate with WFP and end their interference.